Fixture released for VFL matches

NORTH Ballarat Roosters will open their 2013 Victorian Football League campaign with a clash against Collingwood at Victoria Park.

The Roosters launch the new season on Saturday, April 6 before their first home fixture the following weekend against Casey Scorpions at Eureka Stadium.

Next year’s fixture, released this week, features a 14-team competition with both Bendigo Gold and Essendon fielding stand-alone sides.

Each club will play a total of 18 matches across 19 rounds, with one bye throughout the year. There will be two split rounds (rounds one and 13), as well as a break for the state representative game against the West Australian Football League on the weekend of May 11.

An increase in night matches is another feature of the 2013 fixture, with a total of nine scheduled throughout the season.

North Ballarat’s one and only clash under lights will be against Bendigo Gold on Friday, April 19 in Bendigo.

Finals begin on August 31 with the grand final to be played on Sunday, September 22.